Chapter Three

HADLEY

I have two voicemails from Cayden. The first was an hour ago, asking about setting up another meeting where we could discuss any options that weren’t on the table before. The second one, which came in four minutes after the first, informs me he’ll be at my office soon to discuss what we didn’t discuss from the first call.

I ring down to the front desk and tell them not to let him up. I am not about to be railroaded by him, which is his tactic.

Since he’s so eager, which he didn’t seem to be earlier, I’ll let him sweat it out. I check my cellphone, and have a text from my mom and one from my roommate, Melanie, who happens to be my cousin.

Mom: Hi honey, I hope you’re doing well. I know it’s a little early, but I am planning to have Christmas at our house this year and really want you to come home. Your father and I miss you!

I smile at that. My mother is so cute. I missed last year because of work, this time I will do everything in my power to be there.

Me: A little early? It’s the first week of June!

Mom: Yes, I know, but I am giving you six month’s notice so you have no excuses!

Me: Okay… I can’t wait to see you and I miss you and Dad.

Mom: We’re not that far from the city.

She’s right, but going home is a hassle and the last two times my train was delayed four hours. Which meant I had practically no time before I had to head back here .

Me: Maybe I can come home for Fourth of July.

Mom: That would make us so happy. Side note: Uncle Declan is going to be in the city this weekend so don’t be surprised if you get a visit.

Me: Thanks for the heads up!

I love my uncles, but they drive Melanie and I crazy with their check-in visits they claim are coincidences. Uncle Declan didn’t start coming into the city frequently until we moved here and my father convinced him to have an office close by.

Mom: Of course. I know he’s a pain in the you know what.

Me: Yes, but we love him anyway. I have to run. Love you!

Mom: Love you more.

Then I check Melanie’s text.

Melanie: Pizza or Thai?

That’s a no-brainer.

Me: Pizza! Uncle Dec is in town, keep the lights off and don’t answer the door. Also, I hate Cayden. Just in case you thought that may have changed. It hasn’t.

Melanie: My mom sent me a warning text too. As for the Cayden part, can’t wait to hear this.

I bet she can’t. Poor Mel had to listen to my emotional breakdown after we slept together. I was so stupid that night. Of all the people I decided to hook up with, it was him. I’ll never make that mistake again.

After tossing my phone in my bag, I shut my computer down, grab my laptop, pop my earbuds in, and head home. Our apartment is an adorable rent controlled two bedroom in SoHo. It’s tiny, but neither of us care considering the location in Manhattan—and the price.

“Mel?” I call out as I throw my bag on the couch.

“In the kitchen! ”

I head into what we call the kitchen, which is more like a closet where they stuck a stove, and smile as she hands me a glass of wine.

“You’re the best.”

“I know,” she grins and then goes back to stirring something in the pot.

“What are you making?”

“Rice pudding. I figured it was time for some comfort dessert.”

Rice pudding is Aunt Brenna’s famous recipe. She makes it every year for the holidays and always give us some to bring back.

“So, if you’re making rice pudding, I’m going to assume we have a crisis?”

She shrugs. “You can be dramatic when it comes to your nemesis. I’m just prepared for it.”

I’m not dramatic. That’s the thing of it, I am so under dramatic about him it’s crazy. Instead of pitching a fit, like I’ve wanted to, I’ve been calm and used his superiority against him to stay at the top of my game.

And I don’t actually think he’s superior. He’s just a major ass.

It doesn’t help that our families have met and my Uncle Sean is friends with his dad. I have to hear that shit all the time too. They apparently came up in the minor leagues or some crap.

I don’t know.

And of course, Cayden’s twin brother is the starting second baseman for the Yankees, so my other cousin, Austin, always bitches about him. The Benson-Hennington name is constantly uttered around me, as though I need any more reminders of him.

My point is, I don’t flip out, I just…loathe him.

“I’ll take the rice pudding without the commentary,” I tell her.

Melanie grins. “We know that’s not going to happen. Now, spill the tea.”

I run through my meeting with him and then the visit in my office. As I sip my wine and tell the story, I feel a little better at how I handled things.

“I’m surprised it ended that way,” Mel says as she turns off the burner and puts the lid on the pot.

“Why?”

“Because I would’ve expected him to follow you home or be outside the office with cupcakes or flowers. He’s smooth and calculating, he doesn’t give up either. I just can’t imagine he went home after you denied him access to the building like a kicked puppy. ”

“I thought the same thing. I was so prepared to walk to the subway with my headphones in, ignoring him the entire way.”

Not that anyone ever really ignores him. He’s hard to miss and even harder not to look at. Cayden is sexy beyond words. He’s tall with light brown hair, and when he looks at you, the world falls away around him.

I really hate that part.

Melanie drains her wine before filling us both up. “Does his case have legs?”

“Not really. Whoever drew up the contract before left me a lot of wiggle room and I plan to take all of it.”

“So, his clients signed it and yours won’t?”

“The contract is signed, but when Cayden took over handling the case, he found the errors and is trying for a renegotiation since no monies have been transferred. I guess it’s what I would do.”

She raises her glass. “Then we know it’s the right move.”

I smile, loving how my cousin always has my back. “But it’s not for my clients. Their error works in my benefit.”

“Then you give him hell, my friend.” Melanie raises her wine glass and I clink mine.

The two of us sit on the floor of the living room, eating takeout, drinking wine, and talking. Her life is so much more glamourous than mine. She’s doing amazing things in the fashion industry and gets to meet some incredible people. Her mentor is getting ready to launch a new fall line and Melanie got to design a subset that will be premiered.

“Are you nervous?” I ask.

“I’m literally down eight pounds because I can’t eat.”

I snort. “Hence the need for rice pudding?”

“Crap!” She hops up and goes to the stove, removing the cover. “Thank God you said something!”

Mel starts grabbing things out of the fridge and there’s a knock at the door.

“Shit!” I say under my breath. “The doorman must’ve let Uncle Dec in.”

Melanie laughs and jerks her head. “He loves us.”

“He’s here because of my father.”

“And mine. Lord knows they think we’re both still little girls.”

My family is a bunch of crazy, amazing people. My dad has three brothers, Declan, Sean, and Jacob, who is Melanie’s stepfather. We grew up all living on the same farm, having ridiculous Saturday night bonfires, Sunday brunches that were filled with amazing food, and a closeness I never knew was possible.

However, it also comes with the most overprotective bunch of maniacs that have ever lived. Especially when it comes to their daughters and nieces.

I open the door with a smile. “Hi, Uncle De—”

The name dies on my tongue because it’s not my uncle standing there—it’s Cayden Benson-Hennington.